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Ryanair Switches to App-Only Boarding Passes on Nov. 12

The airline says most customers already use its app, with free airport printouts for anyone who checked in online.

Overview

  • From Wednesday, passengers can no longer download or print paper passes and must board using the digital pass in the myRyanair app.
  • Online check-in remains mandatory; airport check-in fees apply if you arrive unregistered (£55/€55 generally, £30/€30 from Spain, £40/€40 from Austria).
  • Contingencies include free printed passes at the airport if you have checked in online but your phone is lost, out of battery, or you don’t have a smartphone, and the pass is accessible offline in the app.
  • Some departures still require printed passes due to local rules, including airports in Morocco and Turkey (except Dalaman) and Tirana in Albania.
  • Ryanair cites nearly 80% adoption among 207M+ annual passengers and an estimated 300 tonnes of paper saved each year, while critics warn the app reliance could heighten in‑app upselling; CEO Michael O’Leary defended the shift and said the airline would manually assist travelers who have checked in.